The latest example of how devastating wars can be is the ongoing direct conflict between Iran and the US and Israel. Within just three weeks, i.e. 21 days, the world’s largest military superpower America has suffered such an economic loss, which has broken many myths of its invincibility. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, American military assets have so far suffered a huge loss of about 1.4 to 2.9 billion dollars (about Rs 12,600 to 26,100 crores). The precision with which Iran’s ballistic missiles and drone attacks have targeted American bases spread across West Asia makes it clear that this war is not only about supremacy but also about breaking the back of economies. According to the report, in view of this devastation, the Pentagon is now going to demand an additional budget of $ 200 billion from the White House.
Fighter jets worth crores destroyed
In this fierce conflict, America has suffered the deepest wound in the form of the loss of its most advanced fighter planes. Small mistakes often prove costly on the battlefield. Something similar happened in the beginning of March, when F/A-18 aircraft of ally country Kuwait shot down three American ‘F-15E Strike Eagle’ jets due to massive confusion. It was a matter of relief that all six crew members came out safely, but considering the price of about 100 million dollars per plane, it was a big financial dent. The situation became more serious when on March 19, the state-of-the-art F-35A Lightning II aircraft, worth $82.5 million, had to make an emergency landing. Iran has openly claimed that this was the result of its precision attack.
Terrible destruction of tanker, drone fleet
Tankers that provide fuel to fighter planes in the air are the backbone of any air war. But, this capability of America has been badly affected this time. A massive mid-air collision of a KC-135 Stratotanker in Iraqi airspace took the lives of six American soldiers. At the same time, the missile attacks on Saudi Arabia’s ‘Prince Sultan Air Base’ caused serious damage to five other KC-135 aircraft. Since the production of these old aircraft has now stopped, America will now have to turn to the new ‘KC-46 Pegasus’ aircraft worth $165 million. Apart from this, more than a dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones, considered the eyes of American intelligence surveillance, have also been destroyed. These drones, costing 16 to 30 million dollars per unit, were either destroyed in the air by Iranian missiles or they were destroyed while standing on the ground.
Heavy injury to America’s Navy
The scope of the attacks was not limited to planes only. America’s defense and surveillance system, which is considered impenetrable, has also been deeply breached. The most important part of the ‘THAAD’ missile defense system deployed in Jordan, the AN/TPY-2 radar (worth approximately $300 million), has been badly damaged in an attack. An even bigger blow was inflicted on Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base, where the AN/FPS-132 radar system, which cost a whopping $1 billion, suffered damage.
On the other hand, there are no less difficulties for America at sea also. On March 12, a sudden fire broke out on the US Navy’s pride USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. After heavy damage to many parts of the ship, it now has to be parked at a port in Greece for repairs.
This complete devastation has come to light when the full-scale ground war between the two countries has not even started. Just a few weeks of air strikes and operational incidents have shaken the budget of the world’s strongest army.